Matthew from Maryland
 

Hi everyone, I'm Matthew Davis, currently based out of Silver Spring, MD (right outside Washington, DC). I'm a penmaker and second-generation silversmith.

I'm hoping to expand my skills for shaping pen parts, especially "nose cones" for ballpoints and fountain pen sections (the part you hold and that holds the nib).

I think there are many applicable techniques, but what I've been experimenting with lately is spinning a cone from a tube. (I've also tried spinning a cone from a flat disc, but it proved fruitless without enough space for the follow block to grab.) It seems it's much easier to find info on spinning from a flat disc than spinning from a tube!

Nice to meet you all and I look forward to learning from and sharing with you.

A special note to the moderators: By the way, I noticed a discrepancy in your info for new registrants: the info on the forum says an incomplete account will be deleted in seven days, but the e-mail I just got says three days.

Matthew, Welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy it and find it helpful. The new registrations that don't respond to the email in three days are deleted. Those that respond to the email but don't complete the rest of the registration process are deleted on the seventh day. Hope that clears it up for you.

Hello Mathew,
I'm just a couple miles north of you.. You are fortunate to live in an area with a great bunch of metal working expertise and interest.You may also want to check out these local clubs...

CAMS Club... (Chesapeake Area Metalworking Society) They meet here in Burtonsville and in Annandale, Va. on alternate months
http://cams-club.org/

Also PATINA (Potomac Antique Tools and Industries Association)
http://patinatools.org/

And while your at it......
BGOP (Blacksmiths Guild Of the Potomac)
http://bgop.org/

Hi Mathew welcome to the forum
Peter

Hi Matthew and welcome!:D

Welcome to the forum Matthew!

David